title: Alteration of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokine profile and humoral immune responses associated with chromate exposure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The role of chromate exposure in the deregulation of total lymphocyte and other immune factors is largely unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to examine alteration of the Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokine profile and humoral indicators caused by occupational chromate exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in two similar workshops (groups 1 and 2) with 106 male occupational workers and 50 matched local controls. Environmental and biological exposures were assessed by measuring chromium concentrations in workplace air, and in whole blood and urine samples of the workers. Cytokines in serum (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-17A) were determined by CBA assay, while immunoglobin (IgA, IgM, IgG, IgE) and complement (C3, C4) were evaluated by immunonephelometric and ELISA methods. Micronucleus analysis was also used to explore the relationship between genotoxicity and immunotoxicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the control group, environmental chromate exposure in groups 1 and 2 was much higher, and the mean values of IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-17A and IFN-γ/IL-4 were significantly decreased in group 1. In group 2, IgA and IgG levels were reduced, while C3 and C4 were increased. Levels of IFN-γ, IgG and IgA were all inversely associated with whole blood chromium, while C3 and C4 were positively associated with whole blood chromium (p<0.05). Both IL-10 and IL-17A were inversely associated with urine chromium. Correlations were also found between IL-10, IL-17A and micronucleus (r=-0.329, r=-0.312, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Occupational exposure to chromate could downregulate the cellular and humoral factors of the immune system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Tiancheng
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shanfa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Yanshuang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Xiaohua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yongen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002857:Chromium / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D000075322:Heavy Metal Poisoning; D006801:Humans; D056724:Immunity, Humoral / Q000187:drug effects*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000276:immunology; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000139:chemically induced; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D009790:Occupations; D011041:Poisoning / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000378:metabolism*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D002857:Chromium; D003165:Complement System Proteins